Trial begins: Murder of popular eucalyptus grandma” shakes Recklinghausen

Trial begins: Murder of popular eucalyptus grandma” shakes Recklinghausen

In the city of Recklinghausen, the tragedy surrounding 71-year-old Rita, who was brutally murdered in January, continues to be closely followed. On Monday, July 7, 2025, the trial against the alleged perpetrator, a 21-year-old man from the neighborhood, will begin before the Bochum regional court. The case touched the city and left the neighborhood in mourning. Rita was found in her Hillen apartment on January 12 after a 16-year-old neighbor discovered her in a pool of blood in the kitchen. The autopsy revealed she bled to death from 40 stab wounds to the neck and face, underlining the gruesome reality of her death. During the investigation it quickly became clear that it was a robbery-murder as the apartment was ransacked and the perpetrator took jewelry and 150 euros. Radiovest reports that Rita was known as 'Eucalyptus Grandma' and was valued in the neighborhood for her generosity.

The circumstances of her death raise questions. Rita lived in modest circumstances, collected deposit bottles and had no electricity for years. A few days after the murder, the suspect was arrested and a judge issued an arrest warrant for murder in conjunction with robbery resulting in death. Despite his claim that he was attacked himself, investigators have found clear evidence that makes him guilty. Bild reports about the difficulties the police had in solving the crime and the associated sadness of Rita's neighbors and friends.

A sign of mourning

Flowers and candles were placed in front of the Recklinghausen town hall, an expression of collective grief over the loss of a popular resident. Rita was known not only for her kindness, but also for her willingness to help, which added to the pain of her loss. Numerous people took part in the public memorial service on the town hall square to pay their last respects. The trial against the alleged perpetrator will conclude on August 27th and he faces a life sentence.

Crime in retrospect

The events surrounding Rita's death are in a larger context, because the police crime statistics for 2024 show that crime in North Rhine-Westphalia has fallen by 1% overall. The declines in robbery and theft are particularly positive: Robbery crimes fell by 7.3% and theft by a total of 1.3% [State of North Rhine-Westphalia informs](https://www.land.nrw/pressemitISSung/polizeiliche- criminal statistic-2024-criminitaet-sinkt-weniger-raub-und-diebstahl). Despite these positive statistics, Rita's individual case shows that violence remains a serious problem.

The fate of the 71-year-old retiree and the upcoming trial bring public safety challenges into focus and remind us of the importance of looking out for our community and standing up for each other.